Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Climate Change and Environment Protection: Coronavirus

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take to promote climate action and a green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic ahead of COP26.

Lord Callanan: As part of the Government’s commitment to build back better from the pandemic, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister set out in his Ten Point Plan for the UK to lead the world into a Green Industrial Revolution. This innovative programme set out ambitious policies and £12 billion of government investment to support up to 250,000 green jobs across the UK, accelerate our path to reaching net zero by 2050 and lay the foundations for our green recovery by building back greener from COVID-19. We are making real progress in delivering the Ten Point Plan while setting out plans for further climate action. Since last November, we have secured new investments in offshore wind, electric vehicles and battery manufacturing and supply chains, and rolled out schemes to decarbonise homes and buildings - supporting green jobs across the UK. We have also published our Energy White Paper, North Sea Transition Deal, Transport Decarbonisation Plan, Industrial Decarbonisation and Hydrogen Strategy and consultation on Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) business models. This November, the UK will host COP26 in Glasgow bringing together world leaders, climate experts, business leaders and citizens to agree ambitious action to tackle climate change. Ahead of COP26, we will bring forward further bold proposals, including a Net Zero Strategy, to cut emissions and create new jobs and industries across the whole country, going further and faster towards building a stronger, more resilient future and protecting our planet for this generation and those to come.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take to achieve (1) the UK’s Nationally Determined Contribution to theUNFramework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) under the Paris Agreement, and (2) the net zero target ahead of COP26.

Lord Callanan: We will publish a comprehensive Net Zero Strategy ahead of COP26, setting out the Government’s vision for transitioning to a net zero economy. This will raise ambition as we outline our path to meet net zero by 2050, our Carbon Budgets and Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

Mathematics: Universities

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to promote the study and research of mathematics at universities in England.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to support the research of all forms of mathematics at universities in England.

Lord Callanan: In academic year 2020-21, Research England allocated £66.4 million to Mathematical Sciences. This financial year the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), is forecasting a spend of £50.975 million on Mathematical Sciences research in English universities. Plans for funding for future years will be dependent on the outcome of the recently announced Spending Review.

Antisocial Behaviour: Young People

Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the use of Mosquito devices that emit high level sounds to deter loitering in public places, particularly those where young people gather.

Lord Callanan: Acoustic anti-loitering devices commonly known as Mosquito devices are widely available for purchase and use in commercial, domestic and public settings as a means of preventing potential anti-social behaviour.

Retail Trade: Urban Areas

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to support the redevelopment of retail space to attract consumers back to local high street shops and support their recovery process.

Lord Callanan: The retail sector remains a key part of the high street and thriving high streets will continue to need a strong physical retail offering. In order to help our high streets recover and flourish, we are:Providing funding that has real impact for high streets across the whole country.Ensuring planning laws help councils to be flexible and make the most of their high streets and take control of vacant property, shops and shopping centres.Giving communities the power to repurpose empty shops and spaces.Making sure businesses are supported as landlords and tenants of high street properties.

Climate Change

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of progress towards the globally agreed aim of limiting global heating to below 2°C; and pursuing efforts to limit heating to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Lord Callanan: While we welcome progress made and new Nationally Determined Contributions and commitments made at the Climate Ambition Summit and since by many parties, we agree with assessments by the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Energy Agency, and the Climate Action Tracker that there remains a significant gap to achieving below 2°C and to 1.5°C. The temperature goal of the Paris Agreement is just within reach, but to achieve it, further ambition is needed and must be acted on today. That is why we are asking all countries to come forward ahead of COP26 with enhanced and ambitious commitments to reduce emissions and scale up adaptation. The UK is driving up global climate ambition and fostering a global, green, inclusive and resilient recovery from COVID-19 through our leadership in multilateral forum, our COP26 and G7 Presidencies, our international climate finance commitments and our International Energy Unit.

Electric Vehicles: Finance

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential investments required in the electric vehicle manufacturing and charging industry in response to the introduction of a zero emission vehicle mandate.

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure a zero emission vehicle mandate could be implemented with enough time to incentivise investment in zero emission vehicles and the charging industry before 2030.

Lord Callanan: The Government had already committed £1.5 billion to support the early market and remove barriers to ZEV ownership. Alongside the new phase out dates for new petrol and diesel cars and vans, we have pledged a further £2.8 billion package of measures to support industry and consumers to make the switch to cleaner vehicles. These ambitions will include up to £1 billion to support the electrification of UK vehicles and their supply chains, £1.3 billion to accelerate the roll out of charging infrastructure and £582 million for plug in vehicle grants.The March 2020 Budget included the extension of favourable benefit in kind tax rates for zero emission vehicles out to 2025: company car tax is 1% in 2021/22 and 2% in 2022/23 through to 2024/25; and all zero emission cars are exempt from vehicle excise duty (VED) We are currently consulting on the proposed regulatory framework for the UK with regard to all newly sold road vehicles which includes the option for a ZEV mandate. The consultation closes on 22 September.

Treasury

Financial Services: Taxation

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to amend the tax regime for the financial services sector; and how they intend to provide more clarity on investment screening laws to attract more inward investment.

Lord Agnew of Oulton: The Government’s aim is for a tax regime that supports the competitiveness of the UK as a financial services centre while ensuring it makes a fair contribution to the funding of public services. The Government has recently taken a number of steps in support of that aim. This includes: a consultation on the UK tax treatment of funds; the development of a new tax regime for asset holding companies in alternative fund structures; a review on the VAT treatment of fund management fees and working group to consider the case for a wider financial services supplies; and, a review of the bank surcharge to ensure that the combined rate of tax on bank profit remains competitive in light of the increase in the corporation tax rate. On attracting inward investment, the National Security and Investment Act will provide businesses with more certainty that they will not be targeted by hostile actors, ensuring the UK remains the premier investment destination in the world. The Government is committed to ensuring investors understand the National Security and Investment Act, including what it requires from them, what it offers them, and how they can engage with the government for more information. In July 2021, the Government published an outline of the provisions of the National Security and Investment Act and guidance on a range of issues, and ahead of the January 2022 full commencement of the Act, will publish further guidance on how to submit a notification form, how sensitive data will be handled, interim orders and final orders, and notifiable acquisitions. Within six months of the Act’s full commencement, Government will provide market guidance notes to further aid interaction and compliance. The Government is also actively engaging interested stakeholders, including businesses and investors, to develop their understanding of the Act.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Afghanistan: Overseas Aid

The Lord Bishop of Worcester: To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) what reassurances they have sought from, and (2) what reassurances have been given by, the Taliban that future aid to Afghanistan will be used for its intended purposes.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: All aid that was being channelled through the Afghan government has stopped. We are only supporting life-saving humanitarian assistance through the UN and other trusted organisations on the ground, who are continuing to ensure vital aid reaches those who need it most. All UK aid is subject to strict monitoring and verification to ensure it is only used to help the vulnerable people it is intended for. As the Prime Minister has set out, we will continue to judge the Taliban on their actions not their words. The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, has secured a number of assurances from the Taliban in writing about the distribution of aid which he described at the UN flash appeal. We support the UN's important work in this area.

Afghanistan: Overseas Aid

The Lord Bishop of Worcester: To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) what the current mechanisms are for delivering UK overseas development aid in Afghanistan, and (2) what steps they will take to ensure the efficacy of this funding and its delivery in the future.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We stand with the people of Afghanistan to support a more stable, peaceful future for the country. Total UK aid to Afghanistan this year is now £286 million, one of our largest bilateral programmes.As part of this £286m, £30m has been allocated for life-saving aid to Afghanistan's neighbouring countries to help those who choose to leave Afghanistan. Of this £30m, £10 million will be made available immediately to humanitarian partners, such as the UNHCR, to enable essential supplies such as shelters to be despatched to the Afghan borders as well as to set up sanitation and hygiene facilities. The remaining £20 million will be allocated to countries that experience a significant increase in refugees to support reception and registration facilities and provide essential services and supplies. As with all the FCDO's programming, when delivering the funding we will be guided by our Programme Operating Framework, which supports high standards of programme delivery, risk management and due diligence in the wide range of difficult places we work.

Afghanistan: Overseas Aid

The Lord Bishop of Worcester: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to undertake a review of the efficacy of UK overseas development aid in Afghanistan since 2001 and the mechanisms by which it was delivered.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: UK overseas development and humanitarian aid in Afghanistan has been subject to many forms of oversight and scrutiny since 2001 including internal assurance reviews, National Audit Office country office reviews and Independent Commission for Aid (ICAI) impact reviews. The International Development Committee has recently approved the future ICAI work programme that includes a country portfolio review of Afghanistan. Publication of the review is due in summer 2022.

Afghanistan: Politics and Government

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the governments of (1) China, (2) Pakistan, and (3) Russia, regarding the situation in Afghanistan.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: HMG continues to galvanise the international community, and bring together the widest possible group of influential countries, to deliver on UK strategic priorities and exercise the maximum moderating influence on the Taliban that we possibly can. This has included calls and meetings between the Prime Minister and his counterpart in Pakistan, and between Ministers and their counterparts in Pakistan and China. The UK drove the adoption of Security Council resolution 2593 alongside France; we are pressing for further discussions amongst the Permanent Members of the UN Security Council and we plan to host an event at the UN General Assembly later this month.

Capital Punishment and Human Rights

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they most recently discussed (1) human rights, and (2) the death penalty, with the governments of (a) China, (b) Iran, (c) Saudi Arabia, and (d) the United States of America.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We regularly engage with the governments of China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United States of America and other partners on a wide range of issues, including Human Rights and the Death Penalty.

Iran: Genocide

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take (1) to ensure that a UN inquiry into the 1988 massacre of political prisoners in Iran is launched, and (2) to ensure that the call for such an inquiry is added to any future UN General Assembly resolution on Iran.

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what further steps they plan to take at the UN General Assembly Third Committee to hold the leaders of the Iranian regime to account for serious human rights violations, including the 1988 massacre of political prisoners.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The British Government opposes the use of the death penalty in all circumstances and takes any allegations of extrajudicial killings seriously. The UK has designated Iran as a Human Rights Priority Country, and we continue to take action with the international community to press Iran to improve its poor human rights record. This will include using all opportunities during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session.We urge Iran to allow the Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran access to the country, so that he can conduct research and investigations into human rights concerns reported there, including the events of 1988. Meanwhile, we have always been clear that Iran must uphold its own international legal obligations, including conducting thorough and independent investigations into suspected human rights violations, both past and present.We are in regular contact with the Iranian Government and expect to engage with President Raisi on a number of issues now he has taken office, including human rights. We call on President Raisi to set Iran on a different course and commit to improving human rights in Iran.

Afghanistan: Internally Displaced People and Refugees

The Lord Bishop of Worcester: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the current levels of internally displaced persons in Afghanistan, and (2) current and future refugee flows from Afghanistan to (a) Pakistan, (b) Tajikistan, (c) Iran, (d) Uzbekistan, and (e) Turkmenistan.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: NGOs estimate that nearly 400,000 people have been displaced from their homes in Afghanistan since the beginning of 2021, in addition to the 2.9 million already displaced by the end of 2020. FCDO Ministers have been, and continue to be, in regular contact with our counterparts in Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, including most recently on 14 September when Lord Ahmad visited Uzbekistan.

Tigray: Crimes against Humanity

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to reports in the Daily Telegraph on 5 September that ethnic cleansing and atrocity crimes against Tigrayans have been committed in the Ethiopian city of Humera, (1) what assessment they have made of the reports, (2) whether they intend to verify the reports, and (3) whether they will take any action to bring those responsible to justice should those reports be verified.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are concerned by reports of ethnic cleansing and atrocity crimes against Tigrayans committed in Humera within Tigray as the Minister for Africa made clear in the Westminster Hall debate on 8 September. The UK is supporting the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to ensure that their joint investigation into atrocities in Tigray with the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission is independent, transparent and impartial and holds the parties to this conflict directly responsible for their actions.

Pakistan: Diplomatic Relations

Lord Naseby: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many times the UK Minister responsible for Pakistan made contact with the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs envoy to Afghanistan in (1) June, (2) July, and (3) August.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: On his visit to Pakistan on 3 September, the Foreign Secretary met Ambassador Sadiq, PM Khan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, alongside Foreign Minister Qureshi, as well as Prime Minister Khan, and Chief of Army Staff General Bajwa. The Foreign Secretary has also had telephone conversations with the Foreign Minister Qureshi on 15 and 27 August. Lord Ahmad visited Pakistan on 23-24 June and met Foreign Minister Qureshi and Prime Minister Khan, to discuss the situation in Afghanistan. British officials, including the High Commissioner, have been in regular contact with Ambassador Mohammed Sadiq since his appointment as Special Representative for Afghanistan in June 2020.

Afghanistan: Diplomatic Service

Lord Naseby: To ask Her Majesty's Government why Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan was changed in June.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: In line with FCDO appointment procedures, Sir Laurie Bristow was appointed Her Majesty's Ambassador to Afghanistan in June this year, following the end of tour of his predecessor Alison Blake who had served as Ambassador in Kabul since April 2019.

Ministry of Defence

Ministry of Defence: Civil Proceedings

Lord Tunnicliffe: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many civil claims against the Ministry of Defence have beenrejected so far as a result of Part 2 of the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Act 2021, since its commencement on 30 June.

Baroness Goldie: The decision about whether a claim should be rejected because of Part 2 of the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Act 2021 is ultimately a matter for the court hearing that claim. No civil claims brought against the MOD have been rejected as a result of the operation of Part 2 of that Act since its commencement on 30 June 2021.

HMS Diamond

Lord West of Spithead: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the status of HMS Diamond.

Baroness Goldie: The repair to HMS DIAMOND was completed at the end of August. She is currently sailing to re-join the main Carrier Strike Group to resume her operational duties.

Department for Work and Pensions

Bereavement Support Payment

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Supreme Court judgment [2018] UKSC 48, what consideration they have given to providing retrospective Bereavement Support Payment to families where the date of death of a family member was prior to 30 August 2018.

Baroness Stedman-Scott: The draft Bereavement Benefits (Remedial Order) 2021 was laid before Parliament on 15 July 2021 and proposes to extend eligibility to Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) and Widowed Parent’s Allowance (WPA) to cohabitees with dependent children. The changes proposed by the draft Order have effect from 30 August 2018, as this was the date of the Supreme Court judgment in the McLaughlin case and from when we became aware of an incompatibility. Where a death occurred before 30 August 2018, there can be eligibility for either WPA or BSP, but awards can only be made in respect of entitlement arising from that date. The proposals in the draft Order are subject to a 60-day laying period during which comments are invited from parliamentarians and stakeholders about the proposals.  These comments will then be reviewed and next steps considered.

Employment: Older People

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they take, if any, to encourage those beyond the state pension age to continue in paid employment if they wish to do so.

Baroness Stedman-Scott: As people live longer healthier lives, many recognise the positive financial, health and social benefits of work, and are choosing to work beyond State Pension age. There are currently 1.3 million workers over State Pension age in employment. The Government is committed to enabling them to remain in, and progress in, work if they choose. The extension of the right to request flexible working to all employees with 26 weeks’ continuous service with their employer offers the opportunity for individuals of all ages to change or reduce their hours to accommodate other responsibilities, where the alternative would be to give up work altogether. This may be of particular interest to adults over State Pension age who would like to amend their working pattern. We have appointed a Business Champion for Older Workers to engage and influence employers on the benefits of a mixed-age workforce both strategically and in terms of practical advice. Government also recognises the importance of supporting adults to plan effectively for the future, including how to stay in work for longer. The mid-life MOT launched a webpage in 2019 which offers support to those considering whether they need to make a change in their work, health or finances in order to get the most out of work and retirement.

Kickstart Scheme: Job Creation

Baroness Wilcox of Newport: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many jobs have been created by the Kickstart Scheme in (1) England, and (2) each English region.

Baroness Stedman-Scott: We are pleased to say that, as of the 8th September, over 69,000 young people have started Kickstart jobs. Over 188,000 jobs have been made available for young people to apply for through the Kickstart Scheme with over 281,000 jobs approved for funding by the Scheme. In England, over 163,000 jobs have been made available for young people to apply for as well as over 59,000 starts. The table below lists the number of Kickstart jobs which have been made available and started by young people to date by English region. The figures used are correct as of the 8th September and these figures have been rounded according to departmental standards. Although care is taken when processing and analysing Kickstart applications, referrals and starts, the data collected might be subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale recording system, which has been developed quickly. The management information presented here has not been subjected to the usual standard of quality assurance associated with official statistics, but is provided in the interests of transparency. Work is ongoing to improve the quality of information available for the programme. LocationJobs Made AvailableTotal Jobs StartedEast Midlands11,9004,170East of England14,9004,870London38,40015,170North East7,5003,170North West24,0008,830South East21,7007,460South West14,0004,660West Midlands16,9006,150Yorkshire and The Humber14,6005,250*These numbers are rounded and so may not match provided totals. Jobs Made Available include 1,000 non-grant funded vacancies and Total Starts include around 900 starts to non-grant funded jobs

Chemicals: Safety

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to produce an equivalent list to the EU Restricted Substance List for the UK.

Baroness Stedman-Scott: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), as the Agency for the UK Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals, publishes a list of those chemicals subject to restrictions on their own, in mixtures or in articles. This list can be found on the HSE website at https://www.hse.gov.uk/reach/restrictions.htm.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Tree Planting

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect to meet their target for planting trees outlined in the Queen’s Speech.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The Government has committed to increasing tree planting in the UK to 30,000 hectares per year by the end of this Parliament. The England Trees Action Plan (ETAP), which was published in May, sets out our target of trebling woodland creation in England to reflect its contribution to that target. The ETAP is supported through £500 million from the Nature for Climate Fund. This funding will support tree planting and protection during this Parliament.We also continue to work closely with the Devolved Administrations to ensure we are on track collectively to deliver the commitment.

Badgers: Pest Control

Lord Beith: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to issue guidance to local authorities about the control of badgers in (1) cemeteries, and (2) burial grounds.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: In England, licences - for the purpose of preventing serious damage to land, or any other form of property - to kill or take badgers, or to interfere with a badger sett are granted by Natural England (NE). NE is authorised, on behalf of the Secretary of State, to grant licences for this purpose. In situations where badgers are causing damage to cemeteries or burial grounds, NE can provide case-specific advice to the local authority if requested, and this may include a site visit where this would be beneficial. If the damage is caused by foraging activities, then advice will normally relate to preventive measures that do not require a licence, such as the use of fencing and other proofing. Where the sett itself is causing damage to graves, then an application for a licence to exclude badgers from the sett may be appropriate. Licences will only be granted where there are no satisfactory alternatives, the action to be licensed is proportionate to the scale of the problem and the licensed action will contribute to resolving the problem. General guidance on the protection afforded to badgers and licensing activities impacting badgers is available at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/badgers-protection-surveys-and-licences. Defra has no current plans to issue any further guidance to local authorities about the control of badgers in cemeteries or burial grounds.

Cats and Dogs: Tagging

Lord Goodlad: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, for future legislation of the micro-chipping of (1) dogs, and (2) cats.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: All dogs in England must already be microchipped under the Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015, unless they are certified as exempt. We are currently carrying out a post-implementation review of the regulations, which will be published later this year. This review will also consider how the current database system is working in practice We committed in our manifesto, and reaffirmed in our Action Plan for Animal Welfare, our intention to introduce compulsory cat microchipping. We carried out a public consultation on these proposals earlier this year. Defra officials are currently analysing the responses. We aim to publish a summary of responses and set out our proposals later this year. This is a devolved matter and these developments relate to the situation applying in England.

Dogs: Licensing

Lord Goodlad: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to give Local Authorities a legal obligation to enforce the dog licensing regulations.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: Local authorities already undertake enforcement action in relation to breaches relating to licensable activity involving dogs, such as sales, breeding and boarding activities, as set out under section 3 of The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (the 2018 Regulations). These regulations were developed to help improve welfare standards across a range of animal-related activities that are licensed by local authorities. The 2018 Regulations built on previous well-established requirements, many of which have existed for over 50 years including the animal boarding legislation which dates from 1963. Standards of welfare have developed considerably since that time, not least with the passing of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (the 2006 Act). The Government guidance which supports the 2018 Regulations is statutory, and local authorities are required to take it into account. This guidance aims to improve consistency in interpretation and application of the licensing regime across England. A person who carries on any licensed activity without a licence issued under the 2018 Regulations commits an offence under section 13(6) of the 2006 Act and would be liable to imprisonment for a term of up to six months, a fine, or both. Local authorities are provided with broad enforcement powers under the 2006 Act and, under section 30 of the 2006 Act, may prosecute any breach of the legislation.

Home Office

Undocumented Migrants

Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to show by nationality the number of illegal immigrants who have been taken into custody upon arrival in the UK in the 12 months from September 2020.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Home Office does not have plans to show by nationality the number of illegal immigrants who have been taken into custody upon arrival in the UK in the 12 months from September 2020.

Hikvision

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 1 September (HL2328), (1) whether thy have now met with the Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner to discuss the issues raised in the correspondence with Hikvision, (2) if so, what the outcome of that meeting was, and (3) whether they intend to follow the decision of the government of the United States of America in banning Hikvision.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: I will be meeting with the Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner shortly to discuss the issues raised in the correspondence with Hikvision.The UK is committed to promoting the ethical development and deployment of technology in the UK and overseas. We are aware of a number of Chinese technology companies linked to violations taking place in Xinjiang, and are monitoring the situation closely.On 12 January, the Foreign Secretary announced a series of measures to help ensure UK businesses and the public sector are not complicit in human rights violations or abuses in Xinjiang. These measures, which are being implemented by the UK Government, include a review of export controls; the introduction of financial penalties under the Modern Slavery Act; increasing support for UK government bodies to exclude suppliers complicit in violations or abuses; and strengthening the Overseas Business Risk guidance to highlight that businesses engaged in the fields of surveillance, biometrics, or tracking technology are at heightened risk of complicity in human rights violations in Xinjiang.The UK Government has also published guidance to help cutting-edge UK firms negotiate the ethical, legal and commercial questions they may encounter when working with Chinese businesses, supporting safe and appropriate UK-China collaboration in digital and tech. The guidance provides firms with clear, up-to-date information and specialist support which reflect the UK's values and take account of national security concerns.

Fraud

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the amount of financial fraud in the UK.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes estimates on the volume of fraud against adult individuals in the Crime in England and Wales quarterly releases [1].The ONS estimated that in the year ending March 2021 there were approximately 4.6 m fraud offences against adults in England and Wales.The ONS also publishes, as part of its data on crime, the total number of fraud offences that are referred to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) by industry bodies (UK finance and CIFAS) or recorded by Action Fraud each year. In the year ending March 2021, 806,637 cases were referred to the NFIB or recorded by Action Fraud. The ONS also provide a breakdown of this data by fraud type. For example, there were 393,068 cases of banking and credit industry fraud reported and 20,260 cases of financial investment fraud [2].The Home Office has estimated that the total cost of fraud to individuals in England and Wales in 2015/2016 was £4.7bn [3]. They also estimated that the economic cost of organised fraud against businesses and the public sector in the UK was £5.9bn [4].[1] Crime in England and Wales - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)[2] https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/datasets/crimeinenglandandwalesappendixtables[3] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/732110/the-economic-and-social-costs-of-crime-horr99.pdf[4] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/782656/understanding-organised-crime-mar16-horr103-2nd.pdf

Department for International Trade

Trade Agreements: Ukraine

Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what errors, if any, have been identified in the Political, Free Trade and Strategic Partnership Agreement with Ukraine; and what is the status of that agreement until any errors have been rectified.

Lord Grimstone of Boscobel: The United Kingdom-Ukraine Political, Free Trade and Strategic Partnership Agreement is in force and operating effectively. It is standard practice for agreements to be amended, corrected or updated over time, depending upon individual circumstances. However, there are no plans for a wholesale reopening of the agreement.

Arms Trade: Afghanistan

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many arms export licences to Afghanistan they approved in (1) 2020, and (2) 2021; and what was their total financial value.

Lord Grimstone of Boscobel: In 2020, 16 Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) were granted for military rated items to Afghanistan, with a value of £21,710,485. In addition, one Open Individual Export Licence (OIEL) was granted for military rated items. Because OIELs are open-ended, they are not restricted by quantities or values for the specific items the licence is granted for.For the period 1st January to 31st March 2021, four SIELs were granted for military rated items, with a value of £533,350; and one OIEL was granted.Information on licences granted between 1st April to 30th June 2021 will be published as Official Statistics GOV.UK on 12th October 2021; and information on licences granted from 1st July to 30th September 2021 in January 2022.